AAVE is a language structure that is rich and versatile, yet it is discriminated against and labeled incorrect and improper. Take for example ain't. Ain't can mean am not, is not, are not, has not, have not, do not, does not, and did not, yet it is labeled improper when its native speakers use it but cool when others do. The world is pretty much Euro-centric and there's a language that only has one speaker. That shouldn't happen to AAVE. Linguists and researchers estimate that approximately 80% of African Americans in the United States use AAVE to some extent in their everyday lives. Many, many people have been told AAVE is wrong. When people try to mock AAVE and how it sounds, they often don't have a grasp of how the language works, which makes it very easy to see if someone doesn’t speak, respect, or even understand the language. AAVE is not a stereotype. Sometimes, it is even used in formal contexts. It even has a Sign Language. People who don't understand it try to appropriate, marginalize, and label it as broken English or English used by unintelligent or uneducated people. Even I've heard the saying, "Say ain't, your mother might faint" and been told AAVE is wrong. All throughout third grade the majority of the improper grammar examples were AAVE. I didn't even know this until January 2026. Then after a couple years, I learned it is not. It's not slang. It's not improper. The South Carolina Department of Education is supposed to help educate. By dismissing AAVE as wrong, that's not educating, but that is spreading misinformation. Think About It: You go to a foreign country and people say your language is wrong. Later, you're watching YouTube and people from that country are using your language, and more people from that country say it's cool in the comments. By teaching AAVE alongside SAE in schools, it teaches students that just because a language structure is not the dominant language doesn't mean it's incorrect. Just marking AAVE as wrong is built on racism. We are calling on the head of the SCDE, Ellen Weaver, to include AAVE in SC schools. Share to as many people as you can and spread awareness about this petition because it is important. Here is what needs to happen:

• Teach AAVE alongside SAE in SC schools instead of just marking it wrong
• Teach the rules of AAVE
• Teach the history of AAVE and what words it is the root of

If AAVE isn't taught, it might actually go extinct. Support, sign and share this petition. Support this petition by posting it on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube, Pinterest and more, text and email the link to others, and DM influencers and micro influencers to have them include this petition in their posts. Comment below. Hashtag: #aavecountsinsc10. Sign and share to get AAVE included! Contact Ellen Weaver at  ellen.weaver@gmail.com